Uxbridge librarian defends fiction and fire escape

Tuesday

Jan 14, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Susan Spencer TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

UXBRIDGE — Finance Director David A. Genereux presented the Capital Planning Committee's draft recommendations to selectmen Monday night, but the review ended up in a heated exchange between Selectman Peter Baghdasarian and the town's new library director, Carolann MacMaster, over the value of public libraries.

Among the $72 million in proposed capital priorities for fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2019 was $75,000 for a fire escape that would allow the third floor of the library to be used by providing a second exit. Ms. MacMaster said the space could hold programs, tutoring and community meetings.

Mr. Baghdasarian said libraries were intended for education but now, he claimed, they were primarily for entertainment; he said 75 percent of the circulation was fiction. He also said there used to be a rule that one had to check out two nonfiction books for every fictional work.

Ms. MacMaster responded that the library's circulation was 30,000 nonfiction items and 23,000 works of fiction.

But in defense of fiction, she said: "Maybe that fiction they're going to read is the only way they're going to get out of their house. Maybe it's the only way they're going to get into a book and out of the rotten … life they lead."

Mr. Genereux said library trustees have mentioned $2 million in needed renovations but they agreed the town should make full use of the building before embarking on a major capital project.

Other capital priorities Mr. Genereux highlighted included $60,000 for interim repairs to McCloskey Middle School and Whitin Elementary School roofs, while applications are filed with the Massachusetts School Building Authority for more extensive repair funding; $2.06 million for bridges and culverts; $30 million for mandated upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant; and $8,900 for converting athletic field lights to LED.

Mr. Genereux said the proposed capital spending plan would be filed with the town clerk by Jan. 30, after review by the town manager, for placement on the annual town meeting warrant.